Mauricio Valdez, 19, who was severely injured in an El Monte motorcycle accident has undergone surgery since and is now going through a tough recovery, according to our sources. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported earlier that the collision between Valdez's motorcycle and another vehicle occurred the afternoon of December 20, 2011, near the intersection of Penn Mar Avenue and Ramona Boulevard.

Officials say Valdez was westbound on Ramona when the other vehicle exited a driveway and drove into his path. The victim was thrown off his motorcycle and sustained major injuries. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, as well as a broken hand, jaw, hip, and leg, our sources said. He underwent surgery on his arm, leg, and hip on December 29, 2011, and is in stable condition after the procedure.

Horrific Accident

My thoughts and best wishes go out to this young victim and his family and friends, who are praying for him to get through these harrowing times. Valdez has apparently suffered critical head injuries. However, it is a huge relief to hear that he is in stable condition after his surgery. It may be a long recovery for Mauricio Valdez.

Valdez, a longtime El Monte resident, had attended Teacher Prep Academy, before graduating in 2010 from Mountain View High School. He is currently a biology major at Cal State Los Angeles. What a terrible event in the life of this young man, who was on the threshold of a bright future! I truly hope he will be able to return to the life he had prior to this injury accident.

Protecting Victims' Rights

Based on an earlier news account, it appears that Valdez did have the right-of-way, but was struck by a motorist who exited a private driveway without properly yielding the right-of-way to Valdez. It is not clear if El Monte police officials have completed their investigation or if the driver in this case has been cited or charged.

Victims and their families in such cases incur significant medical expenses. When a victim is brain-injured, his or her family may have to make significant adjustments to their schedules and lives, such as taking time off work, in order to care for their loved one. In addition, families are faced with expenses associated with rehabilitation costs. I sincerely wish Valdez and his family the very best, and pray that this young man fully recovers from his injuries.

Teen Motorcyclist Recovering from Critical Injuries Suffered in El Monte Crash is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A husband and wife were injured in a Lancaster car accident after their bicycles was hit by a minivan. According to an Associated Press news report, the major injury collision occurred the evening of August 27, 2011 at a street intersection. Police say the couple was attempting to cross an intersection as was a minivan. At the time, the minivan was pushed into the cyclists' path when it was hit by another vehicle. The man sustained severe head injuries and is said to be in critical condition. The wife is said to be in stable condition. Both were wearing helmets. The man and his wife were riding with a group of about 20 riders. No one else was injured. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to these injured victims. The male bicyclist here may have suffered severe head trauma or a brain injury. I wish both the very best for a speedy and full recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 35 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in Lancaster. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 22 fatalities and 3,725 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents in 2009.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, the minivan was struck by another vehicle and this horrific accident occurred as a result of that collision. I trust officials are looking into what caused that initial crash. There are several questions that remain here. Was the minivan rear-ended by another vehicle at the intersection? Did impaired or distracted driving play a part? Was speed a factor in this bicycle accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Fault and Liability

In such cases, the at-fault motorist can be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries, damages and losses. Injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and even long-term treatment and care. Victims or their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that all the negligent parties are held liable.

Car Accident Attorneys in Lancaster

What do you think about bicyclist sharing the road with motor vehicles? Bicyclists should have the same rights as motorists No its not safe for anyone Bicyclists should have the right to choose where they ride Bicyclists under the age of 18 should always be riding in the bike lane Current Results

Lancaster Bicycle Accident Causes Critical Injuries is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A 2-year-old boy was hospitalized after he suffered serious injuries in a swimming pool accident. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the swimming pool accident occurred off North Cerrillos Drive in Woodland Hills the afternoon of May 31, 2011. The young victim was conscious when he was put aboard the helicopter that airlifted him to UCLA Medical Center. He is said to be in stable condition. It is unclear how the 2-year-old fell into the pool or how long he was in there.

My thoughts and prayers are with the young victim of this swimming pool accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

Swimming Pool Accidents

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the second leading cause of all unintentional deaths for children aged 1 to14. Drowning is the leading cause of death for infants in 14 states, including California. Children under the age of 5 are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal swimming pool accident than a fatal car crash.

What Caused This Swimming Pool Accident?

The report does not specify what led to this swimming pool accident. Did the property owner have adequate fencing around the pool? Was the child being supervised at the time of the incident? Was there a swimming pool toy near the pool that may have drawn the child dangerously close to the edge? I trust officials are looking into exactly how and why this near drowning occurred. Near drowning accidents can be devastating and even result in catastrophic brain injuries. This could happen especially if the oxygen supply to the victim's brain is cut off when he or she is submerged for an extended period of time.

Liability Issues

If a swimming pool accident occurs on your watch and on your property, you could be held liable for the injuries and damages. If you own a swimming pool property, it would be in your best interests to install safety barriers, especially with summer quickly approaching. If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, please contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Seriously injured in a Los Angeles County swimming pool accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Woodland Hills accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Toddler Nearly Drowns in Los Angeles Swimming Pool Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Kailyn Williams, 12, sustained critical injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after she was hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding her bicycle. According to a CBS News report, the major injury collision occurred on April 22, 2011. Police say the driver, Thomas Abraham Long, was driving a Chrysler Concorde westbound on West Arbutus Street in Compton, when he struck Kailyn who was riding her bike near her home. Long stopped at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving.

My heart goes out to young Kailyn Williams who has apparently sustained a traumatic brain injury in this accident. Officials say she has undergone brain surgery and is in a medically induced coma. Her family is praying for a miracle. My thoughts and prayers are with this child. I sincerely hope she makes it through these critical injuries and goes on to make a complete recovery.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 38 injuries involving alcohol-related crashes in Compton. In Los Angeles County as a whole 258 people died and 4,832 were injured in DUI collisions in 2008.

California Drunk Driving Laws

Based on the news report, the driver in this case has been charged with felony DUI. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

Fault and Liability

If Long is determined to have been under the influence, then, he could not only face criminal prosecution, but also be held civilly liable for the resulting injuries, damages and losses. An injured victim and their family, in such cases, can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist seeking compensation for medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.

Car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of holding drunk drivers accountable. A skilled accident attorney should also be able to better advise victims about how their own car insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Seriously injured in a Los Angeles County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Compton bicycle accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

12-year-old Sustains Brain Injuries in Los Angeles DUI Collision is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A 3-year-old boy suffered injuries in swimming pool accident the afternoon of March 23, 2011. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the near-drowning incident occurred in a backyard pool in the 48800 block of Legacy Drive in La Quinta. The child was breathing and conscious when taken to the hospital. Officials are looking into what caused this near-drowning incident.

It is indeed fortunate that this did not turn into a fatal incident. My thoughts and prayers are with this little boy. I sincerely hope he makes a quick and complete recovery.

Swimming Pool Accident Statistics

According to a 2007 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drowning incidents in the United States. The report also states that fatal drowning is the "second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years." Nonfatal drowning incidents or near-drowning can cause brain injuries and brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.

Preventing Drowning and Near-Drowning Incidents

According to CDC, the main cause of these tragic swimming pool accidents is the lack of barriers and supervision. Among children between the ages of 1 and 4, most drowning incidents occur in residential swimming pools. Most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight for less than five minutes and were in the care of both parents at the time. Barriers such as pool fencing and gates with working locks can help prevent children from gaining access to the pool area. Supervision is extremely important as well. Drowning incidents have occurred in cases where the caregiver had taken his or her eye off the child for a barely a minute or two. Drowning can happen quickly and silently within a matter of seconds.

Liability Issues

Remember, if a swimming pool accident occurs on your watch and on your property, you could be held liable for the injuries and damages. If you own a swimming pool property, it would be in your best interests to install safety barriers before the spring and summer months. If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, please contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. With spring just around the corner, this incident is another reminder for all of us to be extremely vigilant when it comes to swimming pools and our little ones.

Seriously injured in a Riverside County accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Riverside swimming pool accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Riverside personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Toddler Injured in Riverside County Swimming Pool Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A 3-year-old boy was seriously injured in a Ventura swimming pool accident the morning of March 1, 2011. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the near-drowning incident occurred on Solano Verde Drive in an unincorporated area of Ventura County. A family member rescued the boy after he was found in the pool. The boy was not breathing at the time, but was said to be awake when emergency personnel arrived. The extent of the toddler's injuries is not known at this time. It is also unclear how the boy fell into the pool.

My thoughts and prayers are with the 3-year-old boy and his family following this Ventura County swimming pool accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.

Swimming Pool Accident Statistics

According to a 2007 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drowning incidents in the United States. The report also states that fatal drowning is the "second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years." Near-drowning incidents are extremely serious because they can result in catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, when the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off.

How Did This Swimming Pool Accident Occur?

It is unclear from the report what may have caused this tragic accident. There are several unanswered questions here. Did the property owners have adequate fencing? Was the child unsupervised? Whose property was child on at the time and who was watching him? How could this terrible accident have been prevented? Was there fencing or a gate around the pool? How did the child get to the pool? I trust investigators are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what caused this near-drowning incident.

Liability Issues

This incident is another reminder for parents, grandparents and caregivers to always supervise children. All it takes is a few seconds of inattention for a fatal swimming pool accident or near-drowning to take place. Remember, if a swimming pool accident occurs on your watch and on your property, you could be held liable for the injuries and damages. If you own a swimming pool property, it would be in your best interests to install safety barriers before the spring and summer months. If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, please contact an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Seriously injured in a Ventura County swimming pool accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Ventura accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Ventura personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Child Injured in Swimming Pool Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Head trauma can happen at any time; we just hope that we will be able to handle it when it does. Unfortunately, many don't and they do not tend to the wound, and the situation, in the manner that would have benefited the victim the most. Whether it is a minor bump, or a catastrophic injury, knowing the proper steps to take in case of an emergency could save a life.

Minor head injuries may be cared for at home, but if is not always possible for an unlicensed professional to differentiate between minor and major. If you witness a serious head injury, make sure to contact a medical care provider immediately.

Head Injury Treatment

Determine whether the type of head injury is open or closed

1. A closed injury is when the head has experienced trauma, but it is internal and not outwardly apparent. If you are dealing with an open injury call 911 immediately. This does not mean that a closed injury is not life-threatening, only that further inquiry is needed to determine the seriousness of a closed injury.

Talk to the person and check for irregular breathing.

1. Because a person with a head injury can lose consciousness, obtain information regarding how the accident happened, their identity, emergency contacts, allergies, medical problems and medications taken, as they talk listen to their breathing. One of the most common signs of brain damage is irregular breathing.

Keep the person as still as possible.

1. Conduct a rapid body survey and locate other significant injuries. A serious traumatic brain injury may likely have an associated spinal injury, so you want to take precautions when dealing with the victim. If they are unconscious, treat them as if they have a severe back injury. Stabilize the head in line with the back if you can.

Prevent choking

1. If the person is vomiting or bleeding from the nose or mouth, there is a risk of choking. Try to prevent them from choking on their own fluids; when moving their head, keep their neck and body as one. Never tilt the head or move the neck alone.

Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious head injury, call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles brain injury attorney for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented more than 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

How to Treat Head Trauma is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Suffering from a serious brain injury is no laughing matter; millions of people suffer from debilitating brain damage and, more often than not, the incident that caused their horrific condition was easily preventable. For many, keeping in mind the top causes of brain injuries seems pointless, considering the countless ways that you could become a victim. For others, this article could prove to be invaluable and you could walk away relatively unharmed from a situation that would have caused you a lifetime of regrets.

Head injury is the leading cause of death and disability in persons under 45-years-old, occurring more frequently than breast cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury combined, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. With these types of numbers, it comes as no surprise that an estimated 5 million Americans have some form of disabling condition due to a traumatic brain injury. So what can one do to avoid suffering a life-changing head injury? Take necessary precautions while engaging in its leading causes.

Top Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by a direct blow to the head, where the force of the blow can break through the skull and damage the soft brain tissue.

1. Falls
2. Motor Vehicle Accidents
3. Sports
4. Firearms
5. Assaults/Physical Violence

For traumatic brain injuries, recognizing the danger and exercising caution is a step towards protecting you and your children from brain trauma. Unfortunately, for acquired brain injuries precautions, such as wearing a helmet, become more complex.

Top Causes of Acquired Brain Injuries

Acquired brain injuries occur on a cellular level. In other words, these injuries are sustained because cells throughout the entire brain are affected.

1. Asphyxia (when the body is deprived of oxygen for extended periods of time.)
2. Excessive blood loss
3. Injuries in which the chest has been crushed.
4. Stroke and heart attack
5. Certain illnesses and diseases
6. Exposure to toxic chemicals

Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious head injury, call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have handled more than 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless

Top Causes of Brain Injuries is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Walt Daniels, 66, a member of the San Diego Chargers' game-day staff at Qualcomm Stadium, suffered fatal personal injuries after he fell 25 to 30 feet from the coaches' box on to the cement covered ground right before a Chargers game on October 19, 2009. According to a news report from the Associated Press, Daniels suffered a massive head injury after his fall. Paramedics performed CPR and transported Daniels to a San Diego hospital where he died early morning October 20.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Walt Daniels for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep Daniels' family in your prayers.

Job Injury Accident Statistics

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) statistics, there were 84 construction accident related fatalities in California in 2005. A total of 59 people died in California in 2005 in construction and industrial accidents involving falls from a higher elevation.

I trust Cal-OSHA is looking into how and why this fatal job injury accident occurred. There are many questions remaining to be answered here. How did Daniels fall down? What was he doing at the time? Were all safety procedures being followed? Was his fall the result of a loose railing or some other defective structure or product that gave way? The answers to these questions should help determine whether Daniels' fall and the resulting injuries were caused by someone's negligence.

Worker's Compensation and Liability Issues

I'm sure Daniels' family will be entitled to California worker's compensation benefits. However, worker's compensation benefits are meager and hardly sufficient to cover medical and other expenses or to compensate for the loss of the family's breadwinner in the case of a fatal injury.

In such cases, injured workers and/or their families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who is well-versed in dealing with job injury accidents and filing "third party claims." These are basically claims filed against a party that is not the victim's employer. A third party could be a contractor, sub-contractor or even the manufacturer of a defective product. Such claims are worth a lot more to injured workers and their families, than worker's compensation benefits. The best San Diego personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and/or their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Worker Killed On-the-Job in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Here is a news article that talks about the concerns of a family that lost a beloved member in a Los Angeles car accident. According to this news report in the Whittier Daily News, Kimberly Richter, the mother of 15-year-old Andre Emilio Leon, wants answers from the California Highway Patrol about the April 21, 2009 head-on collision with a wrong-way driver that allegedly killed her son. Richter basically wants to know why the pickup's driver, 19-year-old Derik Armstrong, was not tested for alcohol or drugs that night and why he has not been arrested although he has prior traffic violations.

California Car Accident Investigation Ongoing

CHP officials have said that they are still completing their investigation and once that's done they will submit the case to the District Attorney's office that will then decide whether to file charges. Richter believes Armstrong deliberately drove on the wrong side of Leffingwell Road, which is a divided road. She believes Armstrong should be facing vehicular manslaughter charges. She questions why her son, who was a passenger, and his older sister were tested for alcohol when Armstrong, who was driving on the wrong side of the road, was let go without any alcohol or drug testing. CHP officials responded by saying that an officer determined Armstrong was not under the influence the night of the crash, but the officer did not administer a blood alcohol test.

CHP officers also said Armstrong was traveling at 45 mph that night. But Richter doesn't buy that. She says her son had a crushed jaw and cheek and the bones protruded through his left leg. He died of blunt force trauma. She also says the Leons' Nissan's roof was torn off and one of the car doors landed about 30 feet away from the point of impact. "You're going to get that at 45 mph?" she asks. Andre died of complications from traumatic brain injury. Richter said she chose to stop the feedings and medications because she wanted her son to die with dignity instead of having him as a vegetable all his life. For her son's 16th birthday on June 17, she bought a metal gate to go around his grave.

Personal Injury Victim's Family Seeks Justice

This is a mother looking for justice. My heart goes out to Kimberly Richter not only for her tragic and heartbreaking loss, but also because she has not gotten that sense of closure that she is desperately seeking now. As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I believe that a lot of the questions Richter is asking are absolutely valid. When you're dealing with a wrong way driver, the investigator should have tested him not only for alcohol, but also for drugs. It's usually hard to tell when a person is driving under the influence of recreational or prescription drugs because there is no odor or obvious symptoms as in the case of alcohol use. It's tough to understand why Armstrong was let go without a blood or urine test. The fact that he left the scene in a hurry without getting medical attention also raises suspicions.

We could give Armstrong the benefit of the doubt and assume that he was not intoxicated or otherwise impaired. But even if he was deliberately driving on the wrong side of the road, just for thrills, he needs to be held criminally and civilly liable for the accident, injuries and heartache caused to the Leon family. More than anything else, a mother has lost her child. That's an irreparable loss no amount of compensation can cover.

Los Angeles Car Accident Victim's Mother Seeks Justice is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers